Wall Street advanced as investors eyed the results of Alcoa due after the close of the market today to gauge whether the recent weakness in US economic numbers is going to be reflected in corporate profits. Expectations are modest to say the least. S&P 500 companies’ earnings probably rose 1.6 percent from a year ago, according to Thomson Reuters data, …

New Zealand shares fell, nudging the NZX 50 Index down from a record high. Air New Zealand was the biggest decliner while Pumpkin Patch led some retailers lower. Fletcher Building fell as the central bank signaled concern at the overheating housing market. The NZX 50 dropped 35.76 points, or 0.8 percent, to 4397.20. Within the index, 34 stocks fell, nine …

Environmental protests against oil, gas and gold mining have broken out from one end of the country to the other in the last two days. Shell New Zealand closed down a public meeting in Dunedin this morning about its plans to explore in the Great South Basin, offshore Otago and Southland, after a group said to number eight to 10 …